4 firefighters accused of drinking at station

Four firefighters, including the chief and assistant chief, in Flagler Beach have been put on paid administrative leave after allegations surfaced about drinking at the fire station and responding to a fire after drinking.

According to documents, Chief Martin Roberts is accused of consuming alcohol at a department holiday party Dec. 14 and then responding to a fire in a city vehicle right after the party.

Roberts also directed volunteer firefighter Steve Wood to respond after Wood had been drinking at the same party, according to documents. Wood is also on leave.

Wood's son, Assistant Chief Shane Wood, is accused of consuming apple moonshine alcohol that was stored at the fire station after his Christmas Day shift along with firefighter-paramedic Jacob Bissonette.

City Manager Bruce Campbell believed the accusations were serious enough to put the men on paid leave and hire an outside agency, a Winter Park law firm, to sort through the documents.

Campbell said he will determine further action, following the results of the firm's findings. Those results are likely in two weeks.

In the meantime, volunteer firefighters have been put on full-time paid duty to protect the city and make sure that citizens are safe, according to Campbell.

"There's no lack of coverage," said Campbell. "The level of service will be the same as it was prior."

Bobby Pace will serve as acting fire chief during the investigation.

The city has budgeted $10,000 for the investigation.

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